Memorial planned for 16-year-old shot playing dice at Jacksonville apartments

A pair of remembrances are scheculed for for 16-year-old Ranod Lashawn McKann, who was shot and killed during a weekend dice game robbery.

Thursday, a memorial open to the public is planned for 10 a.m. at New Life Cathedral Baptist Church, 7700 N. Pearl Street. McKann attended the church's Wisdom Learning Academy before moving to Arlington Country Day School to attend 9th grade.

Students and teachers at Arlington Country will be holding a celebration of his life Friday.

Arlington Country's head of school Deborah Condit said the session is not open to the public and is designed to offer students an oppotunity to deal with the loss and heal.

He had just begun his second year at the school, where he transferred last year for the 9th grade.

"He had matured so much over the summer," Condit said.

On Saturday, McKann was with a group playing dice at the Landon Imperial Apartments on Art Museum Drive when two gunmen approached and opened fire robbing the players. McKann was taken to Shands Jacksonville hospital where he died.

Bishop Terrence Calloway of New Life Cathedral remembered McKann as outgoing, popular and a music lover who wanted to play football.

“He was little,” Calloway said. “Probably 100 pounds soaking wet.”

Calloway said McKann was a typical teenager in many ways.

“He would try to hang in my office to avoid going to class but I would send him,” Calloway said.

On a field trip, McKann told the bishop he might like to be a banker.

Calloway said he has been contacted by several students asking about being pall bearers.

“They loved him,” he said.

A memorial service

Funeral services at the church are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday. Agape Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 1248 Edgewood Ave. W. is in charge of arrangements.